Symonds Takes Out Streaker

Andrew Symonds took out a streaker with a major league tackle. Pics and article here.

Shades of Bodyline?

Dileep Premachandran of The Doosra, the South Asian cricket blog for the Times Online has written a piece about all the controversy with the latest Test. Now I don't think it is as bad as Bodyline, but I can't think of a Test with as much action away from the playing field. He does raise an interesting point,

Anil Kumble's remark at the end of his press conference on Sunday night - "There was only one team playing in the spirit of the game" - immediately invited comparisons with the events of 75 years ago. "Not since Bill Woodfull in the 1932-33 Bodyline series has a rival captain spoken so strongly against his opponents," said the Daily Telegraph in Sydney.

A very similar comment was made by Woodfull during the famous series. It is not the first time Andrew Symonds or Harbhajan Singh are involved in similar controversy, and sadly, it will not be the last. From shoddy umpiring to accusations of racism, what could have been a series remembered for stellar play, will now be remembered for controversy.

SHOCKER: Symonds: I was out

The umps got it wrong?!? Nah, it can't be....
Symonds went 137no today, and led the charge for Australia 376/7. At 134/6 the Aussies were struggling, and Steve Bucknor gave Symonds an iffy call when Ishant Sharma seemed to get Symonds at 30. Then on 48, Bruce Oxenford turned down a stumping appeal from Anil Kumble.

"I was very lucky. I was out when I was 30, given not out," said Symonds.

"That's cricket though. I can sit here and tell you about my bad decisions as well, but I won't. That's the game. It's just one of those things."

We start the year with umpire controversy, whodathunkit!?!?